Vending machine



April 22, 1930 H. H. LANGENFELD 1,755,655

VENDING MACHINE Filed Jan. 4, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l By QM @052% April 22, 1930. H. H. LANGENFELD VENDING MACHINE Filed Jan. 4, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Apr. 22, 1930 UNITED STATES HERMAN H. Lanceur-Em), or ammo, Iowa VENDING MACHINE Application led January 4, 1929. Serial-No. 330,177.

The present invention relates to improvements in vending machines and has reference more particularly to a device for dispensing merchandise t-hat is put up in package `form for sale, such as for example, candy, cigarettes, cigars, etc.

One of the important objects of the present invention is to provide a vending machine wherein means is provided for dispensing one package at a time from the machine.

A further object is to provide a vending machine of the above mentioned character which includes a novel ejector mechanism, said ejector mechanism including a closure for the discharge opening through which the articles are dispensed from the machine.

Still a further object is to provide a vending machine of the above mentioned character which is simple in construction, inexpensive, strong and durable and further well adapted to the purpose for which it is designed.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters indicate correspondingparts:

igure 1 is a front elevation of the vendin machine embodying my invention.

igure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken approximately on the line 2 2 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 3 is a similar section taken on the line 3 3 of Figure 2 looking rearwardly.

Figure 4 is a transverse section taken approximately on the line 4 4 of Figure 3 looking downwardly, and

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 5 5 of Figure 4 showing the position of the vertically swinging unit in the act of ejectng the lowermost package from the respective compartment.

In the drawings wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown the preferred embodiment of my invention, the numerall designates generally my improved vending machine, the same comprising a, substantially rectangular shaped casing 2 that is constructed of any suitable metallic material. An

ornamental top 3 is associated with this casing, and the casing is adapted to be supported on a suitable pedestal or base 4 that is spaced from the counter or other supporting surface through the medium of the corner legs 5. Arranged vertically within the casing 2 at the central portion thereof are the partition forming posts 6 and 7 respectively that are arranged against the inner faces of the front and rear sides respectively of the casing as clearly illustrated in Figure 4. These post members divide the casing into a pair of independent article receiving compartments denoted by the reference characters 8 and 9, respectively. This arrangement is also clearly illustrated in Figure 4.

The front face of each'compartment is provided with the rectangular shaped opening that extends for substantially the entire length of the compartment whereby each of the compartments may be refilled with the articles to be vended. A hinged door 10 is provided for each of the openings just described and each door is provided with a transparency 11 whereby the contents of the compartment may be at all times visible, as

clearly indicated in Figure 1.

Each compartment is furthermore provided with an article discharge opening 12 in the front side thereof adjacent the bottom of the casing, as more clearly indicated in Figure 5 and the discharge opening is of such size as to permit the dispensing of only one package at a time through said opening. If 1t is desired to dispense two 0r more packages, then the discharge opening must necessarily be larger.

The bottom of each compartment is formed with an enlarged slot 13 at the rear portion thereof as suggested in Figure 5, and the purpose of this slot will be hereinafter more fully described. The articles that are to be dispensed are preferably put up in package form, and are arranged in the compartments 8 and 9 in stacked relation with the lowermost package resting on the bottom of thel respective compartments, and the lowermost package will be in alinement with the discharge opening 12. It isto be understood that the depth of the compartments is such as to provide a space between the rear edges of the.

A pair of parallel spaced brackets 14 de- -pend from the bottom of each compartment at the' central portion thereof and as is clearly illustrated in Figures 2 and 5 these depending 'brackets are inclined rearwardly. A rock shaft 15 has its ends journaled through the lower ends of each pair ofdepending posed plate-like member 16 has its rear end portion fixedly secured on each of the rock shafts.

The ejector mechanism further includes 'an u wardly curved extension 17 formed at the orward end of each horizontal plate 16 and extending upwardly from the upper edge of each curved extension is the vertically disposed strip 19 that provides a closure for the discharge opening 12 of each compartment. The front portion of the base or pedestal in front of each compartment is cut out as at 19 to accommodate the strip 18 and the laterally disposed finger engaging lip 20 that extends forwardly from the-upper edge of the strip 18, and this construction is clearly illustrated in Figure 5.

Secured on the upper face of each platelike member 16 are the longitudinally spaced bars 21, the forward ends thereof being curved upwardly for engagement with the inner side of the curved extension 17 whereby to afford a reinforcement for each curved eX- tension and the reinforcing portions of the bars are denoted by the reference character 22.

The rear ends of the bars 21 extend beyond the rear edge of the respective plates 16 and terminate in the upwardly disposed ejector fingers 23 that project upwardly through the slot 13 formed in the bottom of each compartment at the rear side thereof for disposition behind the lowermost package.

A retractile coil spring 24 is secured at its lower end to the outer side edge portion of each horizontal plate 16 forwardly of the rock shaft 15 and the upper end of each retractile coil spring is secured to the end 'portions of the base 4 as at 25. These springs normally retain the parts in the position in Figure 2 whereby the curved extensions 17 will cover the openings 19 and the strips 18 will be disposed over the discharge openings 12 and furthermore the ejector lingersV 23 will be in engagement with the inner face of the rear wall of the respective compartments.

Whenever it is desired to dispense a pack-l age from the vending machine, downward pressure is exerted on the lip 20 of the selected article holding compartment and this downward movement results in the plate 16 being rocked in its supporting bracket so that-a forward swinging movement is imparted to the ejector fingers, and this will urge the lowermost package forwardly. In the mean time, the strip 18 will have moved away from the opening 12 to the position shown in Figure 5 so that the lowermost package can be readily and easily grasped to entirely remove the same from its com artment, and as soon asy the pressure is re eased on the lip 20, the spring 24 will return the rcmovable parts of the ejector mechanism to their normal positions shown in Figure 2. brackets. A substantially horizontally dis- The compartments ma receive packages of different varieties, andy as one package is removed, the remaining packages in the compartment will by gravity descend to the bottom of the compartments, so that the lowermost package is always in the position for discharge through the discharge opening when the ejector mechanism is actuated.

It will thus be seen from the foregoing description that I have provided a vending machine that will at all times be positive and efficient in its operation, and due to its simplicity, the same can be manufactured at a very low cost.

While I have shown the preferred embodiment of my invention it is to be understood that minor changes in the size, shape and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a vending machine, an article holding cabinet'provided with a discharge o ening in the lower front side thereof, the ottom of the cabinet being formed with a slot in the rear portion thereof, a vertically swinging member pivotally supported adjacent its rear end beneath the bottom of the cabinet, an ejector nger extending upwardly from the pivoted rear end of the vertically swinging member through said slot for disposition rearwardly of the lowermost article in the cabinet, a vertically disposed strip extending upwardly from the forward end of the pivoted member and normally covering the discharge opening, and a forwardly projecting finger engaging lip formed on the upper edge of said strip for actuating the vertically swinging member to simultaneously move the strip to an ino erative position, and cause the ejector to orce the lowermost passage forwardly through the discharge opening.

2. In a vending machine, an article holding cabinet provided with a discharge o ening in the lower front side thereof, the ottom of the cabinet beingl formed with a slot in the rear ortion t ereof, a vertically swinging mem er pivotally supported adjacent its rear end beneath the bottom of the cabinet, an ejector finger extending upwardly from the pivoted rear end of the vertically to their normal positions when pressure is released from said lip. e

3. In a vending machine, an article holding cabinet, a supportingbase therefor, said cabinet being provided with an article discharge opening 1n the lower front side thereof, the bottom of the cabinet being formed with a slot in the rear portion thereof, a pair of brackets depending from the-bottom of the cabinet, a vertically swingingmember pivotall supported between said bracket, a vertical y disposed strip carried by the forward j end of the plate member and extending upwardly therefrom to normally close the dis'- charge opening, a laterally projecting lip on the upper edge of the strip to actuate the plate member, an upwardlyl directed ejector finger carried by the rear end of the plate member for disposition through the slot in the bottom of the cabinet and for engagement with the lowermost article inthe cabinet for moving the same forwardly through the discharge opening when the pivoted plate member is depressed, the-strip simultaneously uncovering the opening and a retractile coil spring for returning the pivoted plate and the strip and ejector element carried thereby to normal position when pressure is released from the lip.

In testimony whereof I alix my si HERMAN H. LANGENF LD.

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